Place 4 slices of toast in bottom of baking pan. Pour half of egg mixture over. Top with remaining toast and egg mixture. Let stand 20 minutes. (Recipe can be made ahead to this point. Cover and refrigerate overnight.)

4

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place baking pan in slightly larger pan. Set pan on oven rack and pour in enough hot water to come halfway up the outside of baking pan. Bake until pudding is set and top is golden and puffed, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly.

FACTOID:

The word pudding, in the past, applied to all boiled dishes. The French word “boudin” (blood sausage, black pudding) had the same origin. This sweet pudding did not form until the 17th century. The name “pudding” in Francealso refers to cake made with dry bread or stale brioche. It is sweetened, then mixed with raisins, rum, milk, eggs, and candied orange peel. It is cooked in a small brioche mold and covered lightly with frosting. The English bread pudding is similar, but the French pudding is more elaborate.

Healthy Cooking Tip

You can use toasted whole-wheat bread instead of oatmeal bread. When berries are not in season, try apple slices sautéed with cinnamon as a topping. To test if the batter is done, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of pudding; if it comes out clean, the pudding is set.

Nutritional Information(per serving)

Calories: 224

Calories from Fat: 10%

Fat: 2.5g

Saturated Fat: 0.5g

Cholesterol: 71mg

Sodium: 378mg

Carbs: 41g

Protein: 9g

Fiber: 7g

Blueberries and raspberries are nutritional storehouses, brimming with vitamin C, fiber, and a number of disease-fighting phytochemicals that sweep harmful free radicals out of your body. You can use frozen berries because freezing doesn’t destroy their nutritional value or their flavor — though their texture and color do suffer slightly.